Plus: Jennifer Aniston intrigued by new taco diet, Harry Styles takes singing lessons, Adele’s son to join her on tour, Bolly stars urge fans to ‘Walk for Health’ and The Force Awakens is third-biggest film.
Will Smith admits he didn't know much about the effects of head trauma on American football players before his elder son, Trey, started playing the sport, but once he learnt the facts, he felt compelled to share them in his latest film, Concussion. Smith told American television host Ryan Seacrest on the Golden Globes red carpet that he wasn't aware of the information before having to step up as a parent. He said that it made him nervous to send his child into something he wasn't well-informed about. Smith, 47, was nominated for a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Dr Bennet Omalu in the film, a forensic pathologist who fought back after the NFL attempted to suppress his findings about head injuries. – The National Staff
Aniston intrigued by new taco diet
Hollywood actress Jennifer Aniston, a fan of Mexico and its food, says she is "riveted" by a new taco cleanse diet and expects the trend to catch on this year. During an interview with Yahoo Food, the 46-year-old former Friends star first raised her doubts about the diet, which is based on corn tortillas, but after some research was intrigued by the new viral trend. In the book The Taco Cleanse: The Tortilla-Based Diet Proven to Change Your Life, the authors claim that they lost weight after eating nothing but tacos for 30 days. The book has sold out on amazon.com, according to US Weekly. Aniston said she had ordered a copy. – The National Staff
Harry Styles takes singing lessons
One Direction star Harry Styles has reportedly teamed up with a vocal coach as he prepares to launch a solo career. A source told Daily Star that it was standard practice for artists to hire singing teachers when they go solo, and that Styles was being smart about developing his vocal skills and working hard to achieve success. Styles's Hollywood-based coach, Ron Anderson, has worked with other big names, including Adele, Leona Lewis, Alicia Keys and Kylie Minogue. The source said Styles is happy about the latest chapter in his life and plans to make enough time in his schedule for regular coaching. Styles will be flying to Los Angeles often or flying Anderson to London so he take classes on a regular basis. – The National Staff
Adele’s son to join her on tour
Singer Adele, who will embark on a nine-month tour this year, will be joined on her travels by 3-year-old son Angelo. The singing sensation, whose record-breaking album 25 sold 2.3 million copies in the United States in the first three days of release, will be sticking to a strict routine while on tour, according to The Sun newspaper. Whether or not, Adele's partner, Simon Konecki, will join her on tour is unknown, according to femalefirst.co.uk. It is reported that Konecki would not be able to come to every show because of his work with the charity Drop4Drop and other commitments. Also, there will be no after parties for Adele during the tour. – The National Staff
Bolly stars urge fans to ‘Walk for Health’
Bollywood stars Akshay Kumar and Nimrat Kaur helped launch the fourth edition of the Max Bupa Walk for Health this week in Mumbai. The initiative was launched to inspire families to walk more and enhance their overall health and well-being. Pledging his support to the initiative, Kumar said that walking was an intrinsic part of his fitness regime and an easy and effective way to stay healthy. Kaur said that people of all ages must walk to stay energised. This year, The Max Bupa Walk for Health has transformed into a 33-day walking event in 15 cities, concluding in Delhi on February 14. – IANS
The Force Awakens is third-biggest film
Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens has been propelled to third spot on the global list of highest-grossing films after breaking records in China with US$53 million (Dh194.64m) in ticket sales on its first weekend. The China figures represent the highest Saturday or Sunday movie opening in the country in industry history, makers Disney said. The worldwide haul of The Force Awakens, the long-awaited seventh instalment in the science-fiction franchise created by George Lucas in 1977, now stands at $1.73 billion, overtaking Jurassic World's $1.67bn global gross. Its performance in China will help decide whether The Force Awakens tops Avatar as the highest-grossing film in Hollywood history. James Cameron's film made $2.8bn after its December 2009 debut. Titanic (1997) is in second spot with $2.2bn. – Reuters
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
SPECS
Mini John Cooper Works Clubman and Mini John Cooper Works Countryman
Engine: two-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 306hp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: JCW Clubman, Dh220,500; JCW Countryman, Dh225,500
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
MATCH INFO
Chelsea 1
Alonso (62')
Huddersfield Town 1
Depoitre (50')
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
The Details
Article 15
Produced by: Carnival Cinemas, Zee Studios
Directed by: Anubhav Sinha
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Sayani Gupta, Zeeshan Ayyub
Our rating: 4/5
DUBAI SEVENS 2018 DRAW
Gulf Men’s League
Pool A – Dubai Exiles, Dubai Hurricanes, Bahrain, Dubai Sports City Eagles
Pool B – Jebel Ali Dragons, Abu Dhabi Saracens, Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Al Ain Amblers
Gulf Men’s Open
Pool A – Bahrain Firbolgs, Arabian Knights, Yalla Rugby, Muscat
Pool B – Amman Citadel, APB Dubai Sharks, Jebel Ali Dragons 2, Saudi Rugby
Pool C – Abu Dhabi Harlequins 2, Roberts Construction, Dubai Exiles 2
Pool D – Dubai Tigers, UAE Shaheen, Sharjah Wanderers, Amman Citadel 2
Gulf U19 Boys
Pool A – Deira International School, Dubai Hurricanes, British School Al Khubairat, Jumeirah English Speaking School B
Pool B – Dubai English Speaking College 2, Jumeirah College, Dubai College A, Abu Dhabi Harlequins 2
Pool C – Bahrain Colts, Al Yasmina School, DESC, DC B
Pool D – Al Ain Amblers, Repton Royals, Dubai Exiles, Gems World Academy Dubai
Pool E – JESS A, Abu Dhabi Sharks, Abu Dhabi Harlequins 1, EC
Gulf Women
Pool A – Kuwait Scorpions, Black Ruggers, Dubai Sports City Eagles, Dubai Hurricanes 2
Pool B – Emirates Firebirds, Sharjah Wanderers, RAK Rides, Beirut Aconites
Pool C – Dubai Hurricanes, Emirates Firebirds 2, Abu Dhabi Saracens, Transforma Panthers
Pool D – AUC Wolves, Dubai Hawks, Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Al Ain Amblers
Gulf U19 Girls
Pool A – Dubai Exiles, BSAK, DESC, Al Maha
Pool B – Arabian Knights, Dubai Hurricanes, Al Ain Amblers, Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Honeymoonish
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At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
EXPATS
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Destroyer
Director: Karyn Kusama
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Toby Kebbell, Sebastian Stan
Rating: 3/5
UAE release: January 31
A Cat, A Man, and Two Women
Junichiro Tamizaki
Translated by Paul McCarthy
Daunt Books
MATCH INFO
What: Brazil v South Korea
When: Tonight, 5.30pm
Where: Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ae
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
